Zwettl Altar, Gothic altar in Church of Saint Barbara, Adamov, Czech Republic.
The Zwettl Altar is a wooden carved retable with intricate late Gothic designs located inside the Church of Saint Barbara in Adamov. It contains multiple panels depicting religious scenes and demonstrates the precise craftsmanship of that period.
The work was created between 1516 and 1525 at Zwettl Monastery and relocated to Adamov in 1857 through Prince Alois II of Liechtenstein's initiative. This move marked a shift in how religious art was displayed and distributed across the region during that century.
The altar displays late Gothic carved scenes that visitors can still examine closely today for their intricate religious details. Local craftspeople of that era possessed remarkable skill in translating biblical stories into three-dimensional wood.
The altar is located inside an active church, so visiting hours should be verified in advance of your visit. It is advisable to check with church staff upon arrival to ensure you can view the altar properly.
During World War II the altar was hidden away and returned in 1947 after being stored in a pilgrimage church crypt for safety. Few visitors today realize that this carved treasure was moved to protect it from wartime destruction.
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